Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Electrical burning smell and engine backfire?

[DEickhoff]

Something weird happened today.



Situation: Wx cold (22deg) but clear no wind. Both times following a truck that was mid 80's and engine's were buring oil (exhaust smoke was black).



I wa driving along at about 45-50 mph. Got a strong electrical burning smell for 2 seconds or so. let off the accelerator and immedicately started to check all gauges (idoit one--I hv not gotten my gauges yet), checked all lights but did not see anything wrong. Truck behaved normally. About a half hour later while following another mid 80's truck with an engine that looked like it was also buring oil (yes there are a lot of trucks in Kodiak that burn oil) I was doing close to the same speed. It sounded like 2 loud bangs (my first thought was I hit something, a tire blew out or the engine backfired). both coming from the rear of the truck. Again, I let off the speed and started checking all mirrors for oil in the road, signs I hit something or pieces of the tires. but nothing. I heard 2 additional bangs (one right after another) but these were quieter almost faintly. I also checked my exhaust brake. When I got to where I was going I checked underneath the truck for any signs but there was nothing. Tonite on the way home no problems



My question is what should I be checking? Can a diesel backfire? What could be wrong electrically and where do I start?



Help please



Dawna

 

[SBrandon]

As far as the electrical smell goes 1 check the back of the alternator and make sure that the charging wire is still fastened secure, mine came loose and twice and briefly i smelled electrical fire. 2 backfire... I will say put it in nuetral and tack it up a few good times, if it spits and pops, then your timing IS off or you are getting a serious lack of fuel. thats the only type of backfire you should be hearing. 3 banging from the rear end, i dont really know what to say, were you on a curve at the time. maybe the differential was binding? these are just my educated guesses but they are a start.